Randomly multidirectional devise and method for using the devise

ABSTRACT

A randomly multidirectional device can be used for training agility, building strength, and/or physical therapy. The platform has multiple randomly multidirectional wheels affixed to the bottom. The wheels are capable of supporting any portion of a person&#39;s body. An inflatable cushion is attached to the opposite side of the platform. The cushion is capable of supporting a person. A person places a portion of their weight on the device while the user maintains a stable attitude with other portions of their body and moves the device in a lateral direction. The characteristics of the device change with the amount of weight applied, the area of the body supported, and a steering effect created by the multiple randomly multidirectional wheels. The characteristics can be further altered through the simultaneous use of multiple said devices. These characteristics combined with specific movements and patterns comprise the basis for a unique approach for training agility, building strength, and/or physical therapy.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices for training agility, buildingstrength, and/or physical therapy, and in particular to resistancedevices.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Many devices are know for facilitating or enhancing exercises done fortraining agility, building strength, and/or physical therapy. Many ofthese devices are designed with a specific focus that limits theirversatility. Many of the devices that offer a higher-level versatilityrequire significant floor space and financial investment. Many timesthese devices lack portability. Many of these devices lack the abilityto progress to higher degrees of difficulty.

Some exercise devices focus on balance and equilibrium but have limitedversatility in facilitating exercises that build muscle throughout thevarious areas of the body. Other devices focus primarily on resistanceand require little agility or balance, limiting the benefits a user canexpect. Many of these devices allow the user to master the motions andin some cases “cheat” the exercise, negatively impacting the intendedbenefits of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device has a main body or platform. The main body or platform issupported on multiple randomly multidirectional wheels. An inflatablecushion covers the entire top surface of the main body or platform.

In use the main body or platform is capable of supporting any portion ofthe users body. The multiple randomly multidirectional wheels are of asize, design, and placement so as to minimize any tendency of tipping,while creating a steering effect that must be overcome and controlled bythe user. The inflatable cushion provides safety, comfort, and a slightdestabilizing effect.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided, amethod comprising of the steps of placing the wheeled side down andwhile resting at least a portion of the body on the cushion, controlledlateral movements of the device are employed. These lateral movementscan target specific areas of the body and can include but not be limitedto simple back and forth movements or circular, rectangular, and figure8 patterns.

The design of this device utilizes gravity, lateral resistance, andmultiple destabilizing features that combine to provide unpredictablerandom movements that can only be controlled with controlled muscularresponses and agility. The random nature of the movements of the deviceeliminates the possibility of the user learning the device and cheatingthe intent of the exercise. The device is intended to support only aportion of the body while the user maintains a stable attitude withother portions of their body and moves the device through specificpatterns. Maintaining the stable attitude combined with attention to theprescribed patterns produces beneficial results relating to strength aswell as balance and agility. Numerous exercises can be performed, byvarying the position and the expected movement of the device. Advancedusers can utilize multiple devices to increase the level of difficulty.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a device in accordance with theprincipals of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the device of FIG. 1, showing “B” thecushion that is inflatable and of an elastomeric type material, and “C”a platform that has a substantially circular border, and “D” themultiple randomly multidirectional wheels.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 1 showing the substantiallycircular border, although other shapes are contemplated such as apolygon border.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1, showing “D” the multiplerandomly multidirectional wheels.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the device of FIG. 1, showing the multiplerandomly multidirectional wheels that are affixed to one side in apattern allowing balanced support of the platform.

FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 show a single device of FIG. 1 beingused in a small sampling of exercises. The indicated motions wouldinclude horizontal inline moves as well as horizontal patterns such ascircles, figure-8s, etc depending on the results expected.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show multiple devices of FIG. 1 being used in asmall sampling of advanced exercises. The indicated motions wouldinclude horizontal inline moves as well as horizontal patterns such ascircles, arcs, rectangles, figure-8s, etc depending on the resultsexpected.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 through FIG. 1, the design of this deviceutilizes gravity, lateral resistance, and multiple destabilizingfeatures that combine to provide unpredictable random movements that canonly be controlled with controlled muscular responses and agility.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 through FIG. 11, the device is intended tosupport only a portion of the body while the user maintains a stableattitude with other portions of their body and moves the device throughspecific patterns. Maintaining the stable attitude combined withattention to the prescribed patterns produces beneficial resultsrelating to strength as well as balance and agility.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 through FIG. 11, the device is intended tosupport only a portion of the body while the user maintains a stableattitude with other portions of their body and moves the device throughspecific patterns. Maintaining the stable attitude combined withattention to the prescribed patterns produces indirect beneficialresults relating to core strength in the users body.

Illustrations in FIG. 6 through FIG. 11 represent only a small samplingof the numerous exercises that can be performed, by varying the positionand the expected movement of the device.

As illustrated in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, advanced users can utilizemultiple devices to increase the level of difficulty.

It is understood that, many modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above statements. It is thereforeto be understood that the invention may modified and/or used differentlyas deemed necessary or convenient, as long as said changes do not departfrom the spirit or scope of the present invention.

1. A randomly multidirectional device for training agility, buildingstrength, and/or physical therapy comprising: a supporting platformhaving multiple randomly multidirectional wheels affixed to one side ina pattern allowing balanced support of the platform and an inflatablecushion attached to the opposite, or top side of the platform.
 2. Adevice according to claim 1 wherein said platform has a substantiallycircular or polygon non-directional border.
 3. A device according toclaim 1 wherein said cushion is inflatable and of an elastomeric typematerial.
 4. A device according to claim 1 wherein said multiplerandomly multidirectional wheels are affixed to one side in a patternallowing balanced support of the platform.
 5. A device according toclaim 1 wherein said multiple randomly multidirectional wheels are of anature that they have sufficient size, traction, and design, to create asteering effect that must be overcome and controlled by the user.
 6. Amethod for training agility, building strength, and/or physical therapyemploying a randomly multidirectional device, the method comprising ofthe steps of placing the wheeled side down and while resting at least aportion of the body on the cushion, controlled lateral movements and/orpatterns of the device are employed.
 7. A method for training agility,building strength, and/or physical therapy employing multiple randomlymultidirectional devices, the method comprising of the steps of placingthe wheeled sides down and while resting at least a portion of the bodyon the cushions, controlled lateral movements and/or patterns of thedevices are employed.